In the usa maybe, wouldnt work in the uk you already get free hd recording boxes from sky and virgin and extra boxes for multi room for only an extra £10 for sky and i think free for virgin. So i doubt this will interest people that much in the uk and i dont think sky or virgin will be that quick to give up there own boxes completly.
Pachter: Xbox 720 will launch at $99.99; have cable TV subscription
- Thread starter shinobi602
- Start date
In the usa maybe, wouldnt work in the uk you already get free hd recording boxes from sky and virgin and extra boxes for multi room for only an extra £10 for sky and i think free for virgin. So i doubt this will interest people that much in the uk and i dont think sky or virgin will be that quick to give up there own boxes completly.
Thought, he made money being a technology analyst. Gaming was only his side hobby.
CrunchinJelly
formerly cjelly
SEGA already had this idea over 10 years ago.
I don't see MS going this way, though.
I don't see MS going this way, though.
Speedymanic
Banned
I see. So what is Sony's comparable service for Netflix in Europe or other regions where it's not available?
I subscribe to Live anyways, so if I can subsidize my console price for a service I'm already on, I'm pretty happy to do so.
They're already doing it with the 360 on a limited basis. Seems like they're testing the waters with the model.
DragonSworne
Banned
MS plans to sell the 720 nationwide, right?
MS would need to partner with multiple cable companies to sell people a service they already have. Doesn't make any business sense.
This is by far the dumbest prediction...
MS would need to partner with multiple cable companies to sell people a service they already have. Doesn't make any business sense.
This is by far the dumbest prediction...
Lovefilm.
this is some irrelevant off-topic side argument you're having here.
Netflix is out in uk and ireland, they offer mubi as well across europe the free artsie fartsie movie app. They offer other europe apps too.
Speedymanic
Banned
Isn't Lovefilm also available on 360?
MrNyarlathotep
Banned
And indeed Netflix.
Speedymanic
Banned
Yeah, I know. I was wondering what Sony offered that MS don't when it comes to EU regions and beyond.
Do you happen to know what specific apps they offer for EU countries?
outunderthestars
Banned
IF it is true, which it isn't, there would surely be unsubsidized consoles available as well.
Stealth20k
Banned
id stick with sony and nintendo
Yes there really isnt much difference to the apps offered in the uk anyway between 360 and ps3 apart from them being behind a paywall on 360.
metalslimer
Member
Now what I might be interested in would be a 30 dollar subscription plan for 2 years that gave me access to Cable (with HBO Go) all the sports channels and Netflix along with the 99 dollar console. Of course there's no way in hell that would happen. Oh and Im sure MS would offer this console for 600 dollars to those not interested which is the price people should expect if they actually want something to compete with high end PCs. Did you people think there would be a 300 "real next gen" box?
$99 with tv cable but $599 with the ac adapter.
Sir Abacus
Member
You can already get TV through the Xbox using Windows Media Center that's already on your PC. Get yourself a HDHomeRun (they're $130 today on Woot) and you're in business. Don't even need to open your PC and you can still get encrypted cable channels. If Microsoft didn't require gold for Netflix they'd be the perfect media center extender.
But they do. So they aren't.
But they do. So they aren't.
MrNyarlathotep
Banned
MUBI and Vidzone.
And a web browser.
And no monthly fees to access any of that.
In the UK you get 4oD / C5 / iPlayer too on top of all that.
Grinchy
Banned
When I first heard the rumor about Microsoft charging $99 and then financing the cost of the system with a monthly fee, I thought that sounded really interesting. I think it would get a lot of people to buy one because most people are too dumb to add up the total cost over time. Many who are smart enough to add up the cost will still see the value in not owing a lot up front.
But forcing a TV subscription is not quite as interesting. I hope they do the monthly fee to finance the system and pay for Xbox Live. I would be pretty interested in seeing how that turned out.
But forcing a TV subscription is not quite as interesting. I hope they do the monthly fee to finance the system and pay for Xbox Live. I would be pretty interested in seeing how that turned out.
They have just added a bbcsport app in time for the olympics too.
Yeah. Would require cable companies to jump on board. Its not such a crazy idea. Instead of getting the current shitty cable setup box, you can get a Xbox TV setup box which allows access to much more media stuff. Could be similar to how smartphone took over the regular cellphones.
Lots of good points already covered. I'll just throw in my two cents - the cable company's presumably not going to throw this in with their basic channel + internet only package. Let's look at Comcast for an example.
Right now they're offering their Internet + TV + Phone for a teaser rate of 90 a month for 12 months, which then goes to something like 110. Want your tv in High Def? Teaser Rate of 110. Want HBO? 130? Want to watch your DVR's in multiple rooms (like Pachter talks about with hypothetical 720?)? 190 a month.
What would Comcast want to add for the privilege of also being able to get access to the Xbox entertainment hub?
I get the idea of low intro price + subscription. It's a solid model I've praised on previous threads. But that only works if the subscription is a palatable number.
It's not really "Wow! What a deal!" when you're asked to pay 99 bucks for the 720, potentially break your deal with your old cable operator (costs money), and then get a $150-$200 a month subscription.
The model they're testing out right now at Microsoft stores ended up being nearly a break even, iirc. And most importantly, you're not paying for anything non-video game related. In this model, you're potentially paying for lots of crap you don't want that the cable company forces you to have, and it's nowhere near break even. After a year at even 100, that's 1200 bucks on top of your $99.
I seriously doubt Microsoft is considering this. Pachter seems to be talking out of his rear end, but who knows? He's been right before.
Right now they're offering their Internet + TV + Phone for a teaser rate of 90 a month for 12 months, which then goes to something like 110. Want your tv in High Def? Teaser Rate of 110. Want HBO? 130? Want to watch your DVR's in multiple rooms (like Pachter talks about with hypothetical 720?)? 190 a month.
What would Comcast want to add for the privilege of also being able to get access to the Xbox entertainment hub?
I get the idea of low intro price + subscription. It's a solid model I've praised on previous threads. But that only works if the subscription is a palatable number.
It's not really "Wow! What a deal!" when you're asked to pay 99 bucks for the 720, potentially break your deal with your old cable operator (costs money), and then get a $150-$200 a month subscription.
The model they're testing out right now at Microsoft stores ended up being nearly a break even, iirc. And most importantly, you're not paying for anything non-video game related. In this model, you're potentially paying for lots of crap you don't want that the cable company forces you to have, and it's nowhere near break even. After a year at even 100, that's 1200 bucks on top of your $99.
I seriously doubt Microsoft is considering this. Pachter seems to be talking out of his rear end, but who knows? He's been right before.
But also wrong before. Very, very wrong.
Oppo
Member
I think Pachter is right about the TV strategy. Just look at their last two E3 shows.
However I think the $99 contract bundle will just be an option, not the only way to buy the next Xbox. They will have one partnership at first, likely. (Comcast?)
I have no cable, I'm fine with my OTA and IP based video, so not an attractive pitch for myself. Spent the last year trying to get out of as many contracts as I can.
However I think the $99 contract bundle will just be an option, not the only way to buy the next Xbox. They will have one partnership at first, likely. (Comcast?)
I have no cable, I'm fine with my OTA and IP based video, so not an attractive pitch for myself. Spent the last year trying to get out of as many contracts as I can.
metalslimer
Member
Are there exclusivity deals in place or something? I don't understand why MS couldn't be considered just another cable provider.
Lagspike_exe
Member
Taking into account Patcher's record, this means we'll looking at a $399 720.
BLaZiN PRopHeT
Member
I think ms will go with a 399 and 449 price point when the x720 launches.
R
Rösti
Unconfirmed Member
$99 you say?
Well, I personally wouldn't want this if I have to keep paying for a subscription over x months/years, I simply cannot afford something like that. Also, I have no interest in any cable TV subscription, I'm much content with the TV channels I already have. Though I wouldn't dislike this if it was a separate SKU so people choose for themselves whether they'd pay $99 for console plus subscription or $399 (for example) for the console only.
The idea seems a bit farfetched to me. For the US it could certainly work, but what about Europe and Asia that comprise more than one country? I'm gonna put this in the "probably not" bin for now, though I believe Xbox Durango will feature a lot of multimedia functions, as mentioned in the recently leaked roadmap document.
Well, I personally wouldn't want this if I have to keep paying for a subscription over x months/years, I simply cannot afford something like that. Also, I have no interest in any cable TV subscription, I'm much content with the TV channels I already have. Though I wouldn't dislike this if it was a separate SKU so people choose for themselves whether they'd pay $99 for console plus subscription or $399 (for example) for the console only.
The idea seems a bit farfetched to me. For the US it could certainly work, but what about Europe and Asia that comprise more than one country? I'm gonna put this in the "probably not" bin for now, though I believe Xbox Durango will feature a lot of multimedia functions, as mentioned in the recently leaked roadmap document.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
I don't pay for cable. TV in its current state rots your brain so count me out of this scheme. I'll have to pay full price.
You still using a land line to make calls? Get a cell phone, it will change your life.
You still using a land line to make calls? Get a cell phone, it will change your life.
And even beyond apps it's deals like the ESPN or UFC stuff. MS is just not pursuing stuff like that here at all.
Oni Link 666
Member
LOL! Pachters gonna Pacht.
Microsoft will probably have a few carriers signed up. If the service becomes popular, the rest would quickly want to jump aboard.
The X720 will seem to have many SKUs, some cheaper on contract and some more expensive standalone.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
I'd sign on fo' sho.
Some kind of $99 dollar with subscription plan is not just possible but likely. If they can pack that thing of powerful hardware and get it into the living room cheaply it will sell like hotcakes. People are more likely to pay more long term costs than big upfront ones. Cable TV is probably not that likely but some kind of Xbox media service is a good bet. Working with partners to have same day TV shows on demand for rental, buying past seasons etc.... Along with free offerings in a netflix type service.
If it's true, basically, they want to kill the Xbox outside the USA. I doubt Microsoft would ask to every cable TV companies around the world to make a subscription for using Xbox. And what about the satellite users?
Here in Quebec, I doubt Videotron will partner with Microsoft.
It sounds fake.
Here in Quebec, I doubt Videotron will partner with Microsoft.
It sounds fake.
walking fiend
Member
well, I don't see doing this stopping Sony or Nintendo doing something similar
which means, this is a pretty useless thing as long as competition is concerned
which means, this is a pretty useless thing as long as competition is concerned
OldJadedGamer
Banned
If the model is successful, expect Sony to follow but not sure about Nintendo.